Playing guitar is a great way to be in the present, any musical instrument does really help in this field. Zen priests historically used a so called shakuhachi flute. Here’s a link to a modern master of this instrument for your entertainment.

For me, playing guitar is the best teacher for being in the present. If I worry about making a mistake, what is coming up or what others are thinking, the music naturally suffers.

It is only in those moments where I essential stop all thinking that I get into the “flow.” It is when all the previous practice and knowledge of theory effortlessly get expressed without conscious thought.

Being in the present to me is not thinking, just feeling.

It is so easy to slip into the trap of dwelling on mistakes of the past, or panicking about the “what-if”s of the future!

Keeping present is an amazing habit, centering and (like you said) more AWARE. It’s not just for meditation, it’s just plain good practice.

I am guilty of not being in the present all the time…. maybe that is why I am so disorganized with my time.